Press Release

Forbes Introduces Legislation to Improve Firearms Laws and Public Safety

Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) introduced public safety legislation that will promote the responsible use of firearms in the United States by reforming regulations on retired law enforcement officials’ right to carry concealed weapons. The bill, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2007 (H.R. 2726), will modernize federal firearms laws to ensure that individual liberties are upheld and public safety is protected.

“This bill will work to enact common sense provisions while concurrently promoting safety in federal firearms laws. It’s important that trained law enforcement officials have the ability to handle emergency situations, regardless of their location and duty status,” said Forbes. “Retired law enforcement officers who have served admirably should be allowed to better protect themselves and their families from vindictive criminals and other public safety threats.”

Under current law, retired law enforcement officers must carry the required documents, including state-issued documentation verifying the officers' firearms qualifications, in order to carry a concealed firearm. However, some states have refused to issue this documentation. This legislation would provide an alternative to a state-issued document and would allow retired law enforcement officers to carry a certification from a firearms instructor stating that they meet the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training as established by the regulating agency in that state. This would allow retired members of law enforcement that left their agency in good standing to carry a concealed weapon.

Additionally, this bill would amend federal criminal code to include Amtrak and executive branch police officers as qualified law enforcement officers eligible to carry concealed firearms.

Congressman Forbes is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. To learn more about what the Congressman’s work on crime, visit: http://forbes.house.gov/issues/crime.htm.